Updated: 04 May 2012

Sorry to inform that this years tour is cancelled due as we had not sufficient people.

If you are interested in doing this tour in 2013 please write me.

Though I may not advertice it again, if there are enough people interested I am happy to organise it.

Ladakh Adventure Tour - 8 to 25 August 2012
(arrive latest on 7 in Delhi - depart earliest on 27 from Delhi)

Join the 2012 Ladakh Tour Event on Facebook

During the heat of the Indian summer we are planning a tour to the much cooler Ladakh, a unique place in the Indian Himalayas. Ladakh used to be part of greater Tibet and still shares the Tibetan culture. The capital is Leh and the road to get there is open only 4 months a year during the summer. To reduce travel time and keep the length of the tour down to 3 weeks, we will take a return flight from Delhi to Leh. However, feel free to spend a few extra days visiting the Taj Mahal or other 'must see' places after the tour.

On this trek you will spend 9-11 days trekking through valleys and passes where you will see the beautiful Himalayas up close. We will walk 4-5 hours a day so there will be plenty of time to meditate and really enjoy the special spiritual vibrations of the Himalayas.

We will do the: MARKHA VALLEY TREK

The Markha Valley Trek is one of the most varied and beautiful treks in the world. It ventures high into the Himalayas crossing two passes over 17,000 ft (5100 m) high, as it circles from the edges of the Indus Valley down into parts of Zanskar, and passes through terrain that changes from incredibly narrow valleys to wide-open vast expanses! It is made all the more interesting by the ancient form of Buddhism that still flourishes there today in the many monasteries that dot the landscape perched high atop remote hills.

The trails are decorated with elaborate "Chorten" (shrines) and "Mani" (prayer) walls that act as further reminders of the region's total immersion in the Buddhist culture. As we trek to the upper end of the Markha Valley, we are rewarded with spectacular views of jagged snow capped peaks before crossing the 5150m Kongmaru La (Pass) and descending to the famous Hemis Monastery, where we end our trek.

Ladakh is high, mostly above 3500m (11500ft); the highest pass will be 5250 m (17000ft), so after arriving in Leh we'll spend a 4 days acclimatising to the altitude. After the trek we will spend a further few days relaxing and exploring the fascinating town of Leh. The more adventurous may also get chance to go rafting on the Indus River. It will be good if you can make sure to get fit before this tour.

As there are no hotels once we leave Leh, we will have to take everything we need for the trek with us. An agency will help us to organise all the basics so we'll have tents for sleeping, dining and bathroom. Ponies will carry most of the luggage, and we can give them a maximum of 12 Kg (27 pounds) per person of our personal luggage. So on the trek we will only need to carry a small day pack with the items we need during the day.

The temperature will be between 12 and 24 C (54-75F), so quite pleasant, but being in the high mountains anything is possible... including snow. Also the sun can be quite powerful... At night it may drop below 0C (32F) so a very warm sleeping bag (-20C) is a must.

The tour will start early morning on the 8th of August 2012 with our flight to Leh. The duration will be 19 days. And the cost... unfortunately not as cheap as we hoped it would be. Ladakh being the most expensive place in India, still the cost will be EU1250. And if you pay early, before the end of April EU1150. See what is and is not included on the Moneymatters page (the price may also be adjusted in case exchange rates fluctuate a lot or when it gets too close to the date and there are no cheaper flights..

In order for us to be able to arrange relatively cheap flights to and from Leh, as well as to help you also book cheaper international flights, the sooner you can confirm your intention to join the tour the better. If you wait till the last minute, flights may be either full or have only expensive seats available, which may lead to a significant increase in our tour costs.We have to book the ponies and flights to Leh preferably by March-April or the prices go up and ponies will no longer be  available.... So please let us know your intentions if you wish to join us.